Original Hacienda DJ Paulette is writing a tell-all book about her 30-year career
Welcome to the Club: The Life and Lessons of a Black Woman DJ will detail the highs and lows of DJ Paulette's career, from the Hacienda to Homoelectric
In a complete first for Manchester music legend DJ Paulette, she has revealed she is writing a new tell-all book – detailing her amazing 30-year career and shining a light on discrimination within the dance music world.
Titled Welcome To The Club: The Life And Lessons Of A Black Woman DJ, Paulette says it will tell the ‘candid story’ of her hugely successful DJ career, which has seen her hold high profile residencies at some of the best parties in the world, including the Hacienda, Ministry of Sound and Queen Club in Paris.
But as well as detailing the many highs of her career, it will also examine the lows in a ‘candid’ fashion – with Paulette promising to confront “the exclusion, misogyny, racism, and classism which still sadly characterise the dance music world and the broader industry” within its pages.
DJ Paulette pictured with Drag Race winner Krystal Versace at the 2021 BBC finale, which she soundtracked / Image: Dj Paulette
Described as both a memoir and a “call to arms”, Welcome To The Club will feature contributions from some of her fellow UK DJs including Dave Haslam, Gilles Peterson, Jamz Supernova, Sonique, Smokin Jo, Norman Jay and Jaguar.
It’s sure to be filled with some amazing stories. She is, after all, a true dance music icon and has been at the heart of the global house scene for many years.
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So the cat’s out of the bag – I have been commissioned to write ✍🏾 a book for Manchesteruniversitypress the title is Welcome To The Club – writing for 2022, published in 2023. Not ambitious at all for a first book 📕 🙃🤓✊🏾 https://t.co/ZXE3NTrHXO
A young DJ Paulette plays Flesh at The Hacienda / Image; DJ Paulette via The British Culture Archive. Original image by @jonshard.
Whilst still in her twenties Paulette made history as the Hacienda’s first female DJ resident, first coming on board to play the club’s gay night, Flesh Nites, with organizers bringing her in after seeing just one DJ set – which happened to be her debut.
She stayed for four and a half years, progressing to resident along the way, then moved down to London to play at the Garage club nights at Heaven, followed by residencies at Brighton’s The Zap Club and the Ministry of Sound.
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Later, in 2004, she lived in Paris for some time and has also done some stints in Ibiza, but today she can be found in her hometown of Manchester – the place where she was born and raised.
Speaking about her upcoming book, due to be published in 2023, she said: “I tell my story with authenticity and humour, gathering together a stellar array of the electronic music industry’s icons, gatekeepers and fierce future forces who have joined me in this fantastic voyage to put the wider, underlying issues into perspective.
DJ Paulette and Jenna G pictured together backstage at Manchester International Festival 2021 / Image: DJ Paulette
“It’s an epic and inspirational journey that I am excited to share with the world.”
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Sharing the news to Twitter, Paulette later added: “So the cat’s out the bag – I have been commissioned to write a book for Manchester University Press the title is Welcome To The Club – writing for 2022, published in 2023.
“Not ambitious at all for a first book.”
Tom Dark, the senior commissioning editor for Manchester University Press, was quick to snap up the book and has acquired world all language rights directly from the author for publication in 2023.
Dark said on the upcoming book: “I’m delighted to be publishing Paulette’s book. This is a real project of passion for her, and a chance to pass on her learnings to the next generation of creative women.”
According to Manchester University Press, preorders will not go live for another six to nine months – so if you want to get your hands on a copy early, they say that the best way to keep track of developments is to join the MUP newsletter here.
Police search for man who threw punch at Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match
Daisy Jackson
Police are searching for man who threw his own punch at the AO Arena after Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
The man in question is believed to have vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the match itself came to an end.
He then punched a man sat behind him in the face, before making off on foot.
He left two women and a man he was with behind.
Police are now appealing to witnesses of the assault on Saturday 21 January 2023 to come forward with any information.
#APPEAL | Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
If you know this man (pictured) please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23. pic.twitter.com/vr6zsUI6ri
CCTV images of the suspect have been released by GMP.
They said in a statement: “Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault at the AO Arena on Saturday 21 January 2023 after the Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith boxing match.
“It is reported that then man (pictured) vaulted over a barrier inside the arena just as the boxing match finished, and struck a man sat behind him in the face.
“The offender then made off on foot, leaving two women and a man he was with, behind.
“Officers believe that the suspect is possibly from the Merseyside area. If you know the man or have any information relating to the crime, please contact GMP on 101, quoting reference number INC/0075491/23.
“Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity – Crimestoppers – on 0800 555 111.”
Featured image: GMP
News
Salford police officer sacked for ‘depraved’ relationship with vulnerable woman
Daisy Jackson
A police officer has been sacked after carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a crime victim.
Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, has been dismissed and barred after a Gross Misconduct Hearing on 24 and 25 January 2023.
In the hearing, a panel heard how Banks had advised a vulnerable woman to create an email account – which he then accessed to view images and videos, some of which were explicit, that she had uploaded.
He viewed the content more than 200 times and never reported them to his manager or the force’s Professional Standards Branch.
In the end, his own colleagues sensed that something was amiss and raised the alarm.
GMP has now slammed Banks’s ‘depraved behaviour’ and stressed that ‘there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him’.
A statement also said that he ‘abused his position of trust’.
Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Allen, head of GMP’s Professional Standards Branch, said: “Banks knew full well that his conduct was egregiously wrong.
“By cultivating an improper relationship with a vulnerable member of the public who he met in the course of his policing duties, the officer has been deservedly sacked from GMP.
“Not only has he disgraced himself, but his depraved behaviour dishonours policing and undermines the principled endeavours of his colleagues, who everyday do a valiant job catching criminals and protecting our communities.
“Indeed, it was Banks’ own colleagues who sensed something was amiss and triggered the first step in a process that rooted him out.
“The prudence of his colleagues is to be commended and I am grateful to the IOPC for conducting an investigation that left no stone unturned.
#SACKED I A police officer has been dismissed and placed on the College of Policing Barred List for carrying out an ‘improper relationship’ with a vulnerable woman. Paul Banks, who worked as a PC in Salford, appeared at a disciplinary hearing. More here – https://t.co/NUQ0aEEa8Opic.twitter.com/LWzTYQpb55
“No decent member of the police service wants to work with the likes of Banks and there will never be a place in GMP for anybody who behaves like him.
“He abused his position of trust and for that the Office of Constable has been rightly stripped from him.
“GMP is a better force without Banks and we will recruit a new officer into his post who will discharge their duties with honour and espouse the professional and compassionate values of the GMP workforce.”
Banks, who had been on restricted since the investigation began in December 2020, was dismissed without notice.
Georgina Pellant -
11th January 2022 
